Ford Exploring Factory GTE Program, Prototype Options

On the heels of a ramped up prototype program in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship this year, Ford is poised to expand its sports car racing efforts to new heights, which includes a targeted return to the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Multiple industry sources have confirmed to Sportscar365 that the Detroit automaker is evaluating a factory GT program that will see Ford take on the likes Chevrolet, Dodge, Porsche and BMW with an ACO GTE-spec car built around the new-for-2016 regulations.

Considerations are also ongoing for a LMP2 engine supply program utilizing its EcoBoost powerplant currently used in TUDOR Championship DP cars.

It’s believed the GTE project is centered around the latest incarnation of the Ford GT production car, which could launch for the 2016 model year and coincide with the 50th anniversary of Ford’s first overall win at Le Mans.

Ford Racing director Jamie Allison was in Europe this past week and could not be reached for comment. The FIA and ACO held the latest round of GT manufacturer meetings in Paris on Thursday and Friday.

A Ford Racing spokesperson, meanwhile, said they “will not comment on speculation about programs.”

No word has been given on what team would run the GTE operation, although there already has been an active campaign to recruit drivers, both from the U.S. and Europe.

A proposal for a Ford Mustang GTE car, built and developed by Multimatic, was shot down by top-level executives last year but talks have continued for the blue oval to have a significant presence in the production-based class with the yet-to-be-announced model.

It’s unclear what affect, if any, Ford’s potential programs would have on its current factory-backed DP operation in the TUDOR Championship with partner teams Chip Ganassi Racing and Michael Shank Racing, which began this year.

While reports have linked Ford to potential factory Le Mans prototype efforts, Allison had previously told Sportscar365 that “there’s no basis of the rumor for LMP1.”

Factory LMP2 teams, meanwhile, are not allowed in ACO-organized championships, which includes Le Mans.

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36 Comments

Nuno Rosario

July 14, 2014 at 12:40 pm

ohhhhhhhhhhhh boy oh boy oh boy that gets me more pumped!!
but i really hope it does turn out as rumoured and it is a Ford GT incarnation,i wouldnt like seeing the mustang getting GTE trim (and yes,i know there was a program for a ford mustang GT3 run by Marc VDS)

Ill believe when the car actually races we all saw what happened two years ago with the LMP2 car and the years before that with the GT. while it would be good to have a new manufacturer involved but with fords past I’m not getting excited yet.

Ford’s move to no longer factory back John Force Racing in NHRA, fits perfectly with the timeframe to pool their resources into sports car racing. If it happens, it will be great to see another factory team.

I had figured that there would be a Mustang GTE in the cards, but a new GT with a GTE program to show it off would be truly sick. GT vs. Corvette vs. Viper, the kings of American muscle tearing up racetracks in North America and (hopefully) kicking everyone’s heads in at Le Mans. Bring it.

Corvette vs. Viper vs. GT would surely be the dream lineup in American factory-backed sportscar racing, and sending all three to Le Mans against Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston (BMW? McLaren? Mercedes? Nissan?) would be the ultimate GTE showdown. I’m crossing fingers and toes that this happens.

As for P2, that would be amazing if Ganassi fielded a Ford P2 in USCC and Le Mans. Would love to see all the DPs swapped out for P2s and see more American teams at Le Mans.

That’s basically the engine in the DPs. Just expect some repackaging and maybe a slight downsizing for the 2017 P2 chassis. I always figured the DP program was just a way to jump start the P2 engine so they have something competitive out of the gate.

I would love to see Ford build a GT40 homage car about 1 year/ each decade. Keep traditional styling clues and evolve it each time with world beating technology. And RACE IT. Race it with full factory backing! I see some kind words above reference our efforts from 2008- 2011. Thank you! To do it right (i. e. – Beating the world) will require an annual budget of about 10 times (per car) what we had. Also required is somewhere between 100- 1000 times the resources. We managed to be able to run and accomplish a bit with very little resource. A lot of hard work and we had some very smart people helping us. I am amazed at the quality of people who were willing to work with us! The problem is, however, to gain the last 1-2% needed to win requires a lot more. More cars (some testing while others are racing). More people (some doing R&D even while one team is at the track). 100 times as many wind tunnel days as we managed. Easy access to test tracks. And a huge factory backing to handle the politics of negotiating small rule changes. Of course you also need young fearless talented pro drivers. We were in it for the love of it! It is not a small undertaking. I hope to see a 2016 Ford GT racing internationally.

Well Mr. Robertson. My son and I really enjoyed watching those Ford GTs go screaming by every time we got to see them race. Thanks for giving many of us that thrill. Now and then we still talk about it.

Cool stuff. Thank you mr. Robertson. I think ford should create a small shop in the style of oak and zytek and build a proper p2. Race it in the usa and take it to le mans. Take the time (years) to develop it and do some serious flag waving world wide. I think it would be wonderful for the brand.

Kool KOOL Ferrari and aston martin would like a 3 way challenge . Porsche ahs soo much to do. Like making the 911 replicas . Running a hybrid program of thier own. Hybrid Ford Mustangs. Rihanna did make it easy for us. How ~ DARK HORSE~ had lots of eyes on it. FHM ~AUDI~ VIPER~ FORD of course . VettE well 7 hrs of oil adding. Must be a record !!. Shebly fans can compare our ECO – BOOST STANG . To the Old style PonY . RIDE ~ JUMP on IT: Gt Dibbz on the 1 st LAP DANCE @ THE SARTHE !!

i wonder if anyone can say to me,whats the major differences between GT3 and GTE,because mclaren announced they would very much like to be in 2016,and they said the car is near enough in GTE standarts with a few changes
plus,why hasnt porsche been working on a GT3 R variant of the 991??

If the ACO didn’t can the GT1 class by not letting the FIA GT1’s run at Le Mans we would’ve gotten our wish with Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge only if Dodge could’ve afforded it. I will continue to say bring back the GT1 class of the 2000’s and let them have at it again.

About John Dagys

John Dagys (@johndagys) is the founder and editor-in-chief of Sportscar365. The former sports car racing reporter for SPEED.com, Dagys also contributes to FOXSports.com and other motorsports outlets worldwide.
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